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Duke   University   Libraries 

Circular  : 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #820 

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•tKDRRATK    STATES, 

1865. 


The  spirit  whi  '  1  the  oat! 

courage  with  v  I  ave  led  to  a  reliance 

upon  their  good  qualities  to  ires  which  would  in- 

crease their  efficiencj  and  contribute  1  •  opportuni 

have  been  lost,  and  hundreds  of  vain  .  I  for  want 

of  a  strict  observance  of  digtiplb 

Its  object  is  to  enable  an  army  I  into  action  the 

possible  number  of  itfi  under  the  control  of  their 

officers.     Its  effects   are  visible  in  all  istory,  which   records  the 

triumphs  of  discipline  and  courage  Tar  more  frequently  than  those  of  num- 
bers and  resources. 

At  no  time  in  the  war  has  the  necessity  of  close  attention  to  this  impor- 
tant subject  been  greater  than  at  present,  an^  at  no  time  has  its  cultivation 
promised  more  valuable  results.     Th<  rienced  troo 

larger  in  our  army  than  in  that  of  the  enemy,  while  his  numbers  exceed 
our  own.     These   are  the  circumstam  ible  for  the  display  of 

the  advantages  of  discipline,   and  in  wbi  rer  it  imparts  will  bi 

most  deafly  pergeyred, 

I  desire  therefore  that  you  will    d  rt  to  improve  the  discip- 

line of  your  troops.     This  will  your  own  unremitting  at- 

tention, but  also  the   zealous   c  1  Ficers,    commissioned 

and  non-commissioned. 

The  recent  law  abolishing  the  system  of  elections,  and  opening  the  way 
to  promotion  to  all'  who  distinguish    '  ithful    disojaarge 

of  duty  affords  a  new  incentive  to  officers  and  men.  J  a  addition  to  the 
usual  and  stated  instructions,  which  .  ven  at  all  times  as  fully  as 

circumstances  will  permit,  the  importance  and  utility  of  thorough  discip- 
line should  be  impressed  on  officers  and  men  on  all  occasions,  by  illustra- 
tions taken  from  the  experience  of  the  instructor,  or  from  other  sources  of 
information.  They  should  be  made  to  undeipta.nd  that  discipline  contrib- 
utes no  less  to  their  surprises 


and  those  sudden  panics  whip  lead  to  defeat  and  th*  greatest  losi  of  life, 
are  of  rare  occurrence  arnocg  disciplined  troops.  It  is  well  known  that 
the  greatest  number  of  casualties  occur  when  men  become  scattered,  and 
especially  when  they,  retreat  in  confusion,  as  the  fire  of  the  enemy  is  then 
more  deliberate  and  fatal.  T|ie  experience  of  every  officer  shows  that  those 
troops  suffer  le,ast  who  attackfmost  vigorously,  and  that  a  few  men,  retain- 
ing their  organization  and  acting  in  concert  accomplish  far  more  with 
smaller  loss,  than  a  larger  nwaber  scattered  and  disorganized. 

The  appearance  of  a  steadji  unbroken  line  is  more  formidable  to  the  ene- 
my, and  renders  his  aim  less  accurate,  and  his  lire  less  effective.  Orders 
can  be  readily  transmitted,  ai  vantage  can  be  promptly  taken  of  every  op- 
portunity, and  all  efforts  beirg  directed  to  a  common  end,  the  contest  will 
be  briefer  and  suceess'more  certain. 

Let  officers  and  men  be  made  to  feel  that  they  will  most  effectually  secure 
their  safety,  by  remaining  stjeadily  at  their  posts,  preserving  order,  and 
fighting  with  coolness' and  y  i 

Fully  impressed  with  the  trtith  of  these  views,  I  call  your  attention  par- 
ticularly to  the  accompanying  order  with  reference  to  the  duties  of  file 
closers,  which  you  will  immediately  carry  into  execution. 

Impress  upon  your  "officer^  that  discipline  cannot  be  attained  without 
constant  watchfulness  on  thei)  part.  They  must  attend  to  the  smallest  par- 
ticulars of  detail.  Men  must)  be  habituated  to  obey,  or  they  cannot  be 
controlled  in  battle,  and  the  icglect  of  the  least  important  order  impairs 
the  proper  influence  of  the  oi 

In  recommending  officers  or  men  for  promotion  you  will  always,  where 
other  qualifications  are  equaljgive  preference  to  those  who  show  the  high- 
est appreciation  of  the  importance  of  discipline,  and  evince  the  greatest 
attention  to  its  requirement- 


Very  respectfully,  your  obed't  serv't, 


R.  E.  LEE. 


General. 


-  ,       >  *  v.. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


